Brick or tile cutting machine.



No. 795,583. PATENTED JULY 25, 1905. I W. R. CUNNINGHAM.

BRICK AND TILE CUTTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR.3.1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

- WILLIAM CUNNINGHAM, OF BUCYRUS. OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE AMERICAN CLAYMACHINERY COMPANY, OF BU CORPORATION.

CYRUS, OHIO, A

BRICK OR TILE CUTTING MACHINE.-

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 25, 1905.

Application filed April 3, 1905. fierial'lio. 253,418.

. chines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in machinesdesigned to cut a bar or bars of clay into uniform thicknesses orlengths as they issue from the die of a brick or tile machine, and theparticular class of machines herein illustrated is of the rotaryautomatic type, Where the reel which carries the cutting-wires has avariable continuous motion as distinguished from those machines whereinthe reel comes to rest after the cutting-wires pass through the bar ofclay.

My invention consists of the novel parts and the construction,arrangements, and combinations of parts, which I will hereinafterdescribe and claim.

- In the accompanying drawings, forming part of my specification, and inwhich similar reference characters indicate like parts throughout bothviews, Figure 1 represents a side elevation of my improved brick andtile cutting machine with parts broken away to show in section theautomatic friction driving and governing device. Fig. 2 is across-sectional-view on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1.

The present invention is an improvement on my former patent, No.775,800, dated November 22, 190A, and as the presentimprovements relatealmost exclusively to the manner of driving and governing the speedofthe cutting-wire reel I will refer only briefly to the principal partsof the prior patented structure which are shown herein, it beingunderstood thatthe construction and operation of said parts follow moreor less closely the corresponding parts of the prior patent.

Referring to Fig. 1, which shows the organized machine, it will be seenthat, as in the prior patent, the present machine comprises threedivisions or sections-namely, a measuring-table section, No. 1, acarriage and cutting section, No. 2, and a separating or off-bearingsection, No. 3 said sections being suitably secured and provided withsuch complementary parts as go to make up a complete machine of thedescribed type.

The measuring-table section includes the measuring-drum 2, fixed to theshaft 1, said shaft having fixed to it a spiral gear 8, which mesheswith a spiral pinion 9 on a longitudinal governor-shaft 10. Around themeasuring-drum 2 and a drum 3 at the inner end of the table-sectionpasses the measuring-belt 7, upon which the column or bar of clay isreceived from asuitable forming-die or equivalent device. (Not shown.)

The foregoing devices, as well as the camrockers 7O 71, the tappets 7071, the longitudinally-slidable shaft 16, with its arm 72 andconnecting-rods 74:, the lubricating devices 4, the carriage and cuttingdevices which constitute the section No. 2, and the off-bearing belt orapron 62 are similar in all essentials, both in construction andoperation, to the corresponding parts of the said prior patent.Therefore a more detailed explanation of these parts seems unnecessaryat this time.

The main driving-pulley A is appropriately keyed on the shaft 23, whichis itself journaled in bearings A A, bolted to the base of the mainframe A ,as shown in Fig. 1. On the inner end of the shaft 23 is fixed aspurpinion U, which is in mesh with a spur gearwheel T, mounted on alongitudinal shaft 59, having a miter-gear 59, which meshes with asimilar gear 59 on the shaft of the pulley 61, around which the offbearing belt 62 passes. This method of connection finds its fullequivalent in the aforesaid prior patent.

Loosely mounted on the shaft 23 is an elongated pinion S, to the end ofwhich is appropriately bolted, by means of bolts A a plateflange N, andto this is bolted at A a split or expansible ring H, having a spring Vlocated between its separated or split ends. By bolting one end of thissplit ring the remaining portion of the ring is capable of beingexpanded into contact with the contiguous inner wall or surface ofastationary brake-band F, as I will hereinafter describe.

To the aforesaid flange N is also secured a second split ring K, whichlies interior to the ring H and is provided with a centrally-disposedlug K, through which passes a bolt K by which said second ring issecured in place, said lug being located on the ring midway between oropposite to the point where the ring is split or severed. The split endsof the second ring K are formed or provided with the lugs or projectionsK K, which are designed to be embraced by a stirrup M of appropriateconstruction, said stirrup-having a forked or open end within which ispivotally mounted a curved lever W, the short arm of which operatesagainst the lug K; while the "longer. arm extends within the range ofaction of a suitable operating-cam surface, as I will hereinafterindicate. The position of the lever W may be adjusted when desired bymeans of a set-screw K mounted in the opposite end of the stirrup.

A curved lever-arm R is disposed on the opposite side of the cam-gear Eand has one end pivoted in the fixed end of the split ring H and theopposite end extending into the range of action of the cam E said leversW and R extending in opposite directions, as shown.

Securely bolted to the base-frame A is the stationary friction-band F,and keyed to the aforesaid driving-shaft 23 is afriction-driver O in-theform of a flanged disk having a plain flat face provided with frictionalsurface, which may be of leather or other appropriate material. Opposingthe friction-driver O is the corresponding face of a gear E, which isformed rigid with a disk having at one side an extending cam E andhaving at the opposite side a cam E said gear being loosely mounted onthe shaft 23 and said disk, which, in fact, is a part of the gear,having its face opposing the friction-surface of the driver 0 andadapted to be pressed thereagainst by means of a spring 0, coiled aroundthe shaft 23 and confined between a wearing-collar and spring-seat D andan adj usting-collar B, whose position on the shaft may be fixed bymeans of a set-screw B. This arrangement affords means for regulatingthe tension of the spring C and the pressure of the friction-surface ofthe cam-gear against the opposing frictiondriver 0. The cam-disk of gearE is, as before stated, provided with cam or incline E, and the long armof the aforesaid lever W extends into the range of action of said cam orincline, whereby said lever is operated to contract the split ring Kwhenthe inclinerides under the end of the lever W, which lever may havea laterally-projecting pin or projection R. The other cam E of thecam-disk is also designed to ride under the end of the lever B or a pinR therein to expand the split ring H against the inner surface of thestationary ring F, as I will hereinafter describe.

Mounted for longitudinal movement on the shaft 23 is a collar A whoseposition on the shaft may be fixed at any suitable point by means of aset-screw, whereby the elongated pinion S is held in its properposition. The friction-d river 0 serves as an end stop or abutment forthe flange N, and thereby limits the end movement of the pinion in thatdirection.

In register with the cam-gear E is a driving-gear P, fixed on thegovernor-shaft 10 before described, which gear P is actuated by thespiral gearing 8 and 9 of the measuringtable section of the machine.

The operation of the machine may be generally described as follows: Thedriving-pulley A is driven from a suitable counter or line shaft at aspeed 'sufficient to take care of the maximum capacity of the cuttingmechanism. This pulley drives the shaft 23 and the main friction-wheelO, which is fixed to it. As the bar of clay issues from the usualforming-die it isreceived upon the measuring-belt 7, which is thusstarted and which results in the measuring-drum 2, the shaft 1, thespiral gear 8 9. the governingshaft 10, the driving-gear P, and thecamgear E being set in motion. This action also brings the cam orincline E of the cam-gear E in contact with the long arm of the lever W,thereby rocking this lever and causing the short arm thereof to contractthe split friction-band K and cause it to grip said ring on the livefriction-wheel O. This results in the flange N and the elongated pinionS being set in motion, in turn revolving the large gear 43 of thecutting-section of the machine, and which gear carries the cutting-wireattachments, as in my aforesaid prior patent. The arrangement of theparts is such that the large gear-wheel 43 and its cutting-wires revolvev in exact register with the moving bar of clay to sever it into piecesof uniform length or thickness. At times the driving-pulley A and itsshaft 23 will run at a higher speed than is necessary for theloosely-mounted elongated pinion S to revolve in order to keep thegearring 43 in correct register with the moving bar of clay, and theflange N, which carries the friction-rings K and H, with their levers,will run faster than the gear E, which is gov.- erned by the bar ofclay. This would relieve the lever W from the cam or incline E and causethe long arm of the second lever B to be engaged by the cam E wherebythe friction-band H will be expanded and thrown into strong frictionalengagement with the stationary brake-band F and the speed of the longpinion S and large gear-wheel 43 will be retarded until the bar of claythrough the governing-shaft 10 and its gears will revolve the camgear Esufficiently to contract the brake-band K through the cam or incline Eand lever W, as before described. As this engagement is occurring thebrake-band H is released from its frictional engagement with thestationary brake-band. In this manner the gear-wheel 43 andcutting-wires are kept in correct register with the variable movement ofthe" bar of clay, and there is no danger of the bar of clay beingdistorted or pulled apart. The leather washer 0 acts as a frictional aidto the bar of clay, and the tension of the spring 0 is set so that whenthe bar of clay is removed the driving-pulley A and its shaft 23 willdrive the measuring-belt 7 through the governor-shaft 10, and when theclay column runs out on the measuringbelt and extends from the die ofthe brick-machine to the apron 78 of the cutting-section of the machinethe weight of said column hearing on the belt 7 will create sufficientfriction to prevent the belt slipping, and thereby causing the cam-gearE to slip on the leather friction-washer O by said gear being held incheck through the train of gears, which latter I prefer to designate asa governing device.

From the foregoing description it will appear that I obtain a decidedadvantage in this class of machines by arranging the friction devices sothat the pressure on the drivingfriction is just sufiicien't to carrythe cuttingwires and the parts that support them through the bar ofclay. If the consistency of the bar of clay is softer at one time thananother, the

pressure on the live friction-wheel O is regulated accordingly. When thebar of clay is not in motion, the friction-wheel O is disengagedentirely, which prevents it from undue wear. I also employ onefriction-ring for driving the parts and utilize the other friction-ringas a brake, the rings being secured to the same flange or support andsaid rings being'so arranged that as one acts as a brake the other actsas a driver.

It will alsobe noticed that the relative arrangei'nentof the mechanismis such that when the bar of clay extends from the die to the offbearingbelt over theplatens and belt 7 there is a complete circuit, so that onepart cannot move without moving the bar of clay. Therefore any slightvariation in the movement of the bar of clay causes the wires to revolvein correct register with the travel of the clay column.

, Having thus described my invention,.what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a brick and tile cutting machine the combination of clay-measuringmechanism, clay cutting mechanism, and a governing mechanism forcausing'the cutting devices to continuously revolve in register with andby the travel of the bar of clay said governing mechanism comprising afixed drive-friction and a loose friction operable together in the samedirection and-said loose friction under the variations of the travel ofthe bar of clay. 2. In a brick and tile cutting machine the sponds toand varies with the travel of the bar of clay.

3. In a brick and tile cutting machine the combination withclay-measuring mechanism,

clay-cutting mechanism and a governing mechanism between the measuringand cutting mechanisms for causing the cutting devices to continuouslyrevolve in register with and by the travel of the bar of clay saidgoverning mechanism comprising a fixed drivefriction and a loosefriction operable together in the same direction and said loose frictionyieldable relative to the drive-friction under the variations of thetravel of the bar of clay,

a clutch mechanism controlled by the loose friction-Wheel and actuatingto grip the drive- .friction with a pressure which automaticallyresponds to and varies with the travel of the bar of clay, and a brakemechanism carried in unison with the clutch mechanism and controlled bysaid loose friction wheel, and adapted to retard the speed of thecutting mechanism.

,4. In a brick and tile cutting machine the combination with aclaymeasuring table mechanism and a revoluble cutting mechanism, of anintermediate governing mechanism comprising a pair of members infrictional contact and normally rotatable at one speed in the samedirection, one of said members being a driver and the other being withinthe.

control of the travel of the bar of clay and adapted to move relative tothe companion driving member when a variation in speed between themembers occurs, and a clutch mechanism between the cutting mechanism andsaid driving member and adapted to engage the latter, saidclutehmechanism controlled by said movable friction member whereby thepressure of the clutch on the driving friction member varies with andresponds to the variations in the travel of the.

bar of clay, and the cutting devices revolve in registerwith said bar ofclay.

5. In a brick and tile cutting machine, the combination with ameasuring-table mechanlsm, a governor-shaft operable therefrom andprovided, with a gear-wheel, and a revoluble cutting mechanism, of adrive-shaft having a driving friction-wheel fixed to it, a gear-wheelloose on said drive-shaft and having a surface to engage said drivingfriction-wheel, said gear-wheel meshing with the first-named gearwheel,and adapted to slip relative to the driving-frietion when a variation inspeed occurs between the two, a long pinion loose on the driveshaft, aclutch mechanism carried by said long pinion, and means between theclutch mechanism and the loose-friction gear and operable by the latterto cause the clutch to engage the driving friction-wheel with a pressurewhich substantially varies with the travel of'the measuring mechanismwhereby the cutting mechanism is revolved in register with and by: thetravel of the bar of clay.

6. In a brick and tile cutting machine the combination withclay-measuring-table mechanism, a governor-shaft operable thereby andhaving a gear fixed to it, a drive-shaft having a friction-wheel fixedto it, a long pinion loose on the drive-shaft and carrying a frictionclutch member which substantially embraces said friction-wheel, acutting-reel having a gear-wheel engaged by said long gear, a secondactuating the clutch to cause it to grip the live friction-wheel andthus rotate the clutch and the long pinion and cause the cutting-reel torevolve in register with the travel of the bar of clay, said loosefriction automatically increasing and decreasing the pressure of theclutch on the live friction-Wheel in response to variations in thetravel of the bar of clay whereby the cutting mechanism operates inregister with the travel of the clay.

7. In a brick and tile cutting machine the combination with aclay-measuring mechanism including a governor-shaft and a gear thereon,a cutting-reel having a gear-wheel, a drive-shaft having afriction-wheel fixed to it, a long pinion loose on the drive-shaft andengaging the reel-gear, a plate-flange carried by the pinion and havinga split ring inclosing the fixed friction-wheel and normally disengagingthe same, a friction-wheel loose on the drive-shaft and in frictionalengagement with the fixed friction-wheel, said loose friction wheelengaged by the gear of the governorshaft, means including a cam membercarried by the loose gear and a lever carried by the plate-flangewhereby when said loose gear is moved relative to the plate-flange thesplit ring is caused to grip said fixed gear with a pressure whichvaries with the travel of the bar of clay, and the cutting-reel isactuated in register with the travel of the clay.

8. In a brick and tile cutting machine the combination with aclay-measuring mechanism including a governor-shaft and a gear thereon,a cutting-reel having a gear-wheel, a drive-shaft having afriction-wheel fixed to it. a long pinion loose on the drive-shaft andengaging the reel-gear, a plate-flange carried by the pinion and havinga split ring inclosing the fixed friction-wheel and normally disengagingthe same, a friction-wheel loose on the drive-shaft and in frictionalengagement with the fixed friction-wheel, said loose friction-wheelengaged by the gear of the governor-shaft, means including a cam membercarried by the loose gear and a lever carried by the plate-flangewhereby when said loose gear is moved relative to the plate-flange thesplit ring is caused to grip said fixed gear with a pressure whichvaries with the travel of the bar of clay, and the cutting-reel isactuated in register with the travel of the clay, a second split ringcarried by the plateflange, a lever pivoted to said second ring, asecond cam carried by the loose friction-gear and adapted to actuate thesecond lever to cause it to expand the second split ring when the firstsplit ring releases its grip on the fixed friction-wheel, and astationary brakeband against which the said second split band isexpanded to retard the movement of the cutting mechanism.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM R. CUNNINGHAM.

Witnesses:

W. S. HIGHT, R. O. PERROTT.

